As the dental industry deals with inflation and other economic challenges, many dentists are looking for new ways to improve patient care and enhance practice operations while saving money.
Three dentists recently shared with Becker's the technology they have added to their practices in order to save money.
Editor's note: Responses were lightly edited for length and clarity.
Question: What technology have you added at your practice within the last two years to help you save costs down the road?
Jennifer Bell, DDS. Signature Family Dentistry (Angier, N.C.): I have added Exocad in our office over the past two years and it has greatly improved my efficiency and predictability with complex cases. Being able to plan cases digitally in the office expedites my processes required to provide care to patients. I am also able to mitigate challenges by learning about the case intimately in the pre-planning stages versus solving those problems chairside during the treatment. Integrating this with our intraoral scanner, iTero, and our 3D printer, Formlabs, I now have a seamless digital workflow that allows predictable and profitable dentistry while exceeding patients' expectations and experiences.
Jeremy Burgin, DDS. Burgin Dentistry (Clovis, N.M.): I have purchased quite a few things but I would say the one that has helped me the most is without a doubt my two milling machines. They provide single-visit restorations as well as same-day guided implants. Patients also love this single-day dentistry as well.
Charles Schlesinger, DDS. CEO of Comfortable Dentistry 4U (Albuquerque, N.M.): About two years ago, we added a digital scanner and Glidewell mill. It has significantly cut our lab bill and supply bill (no VPS impressions). It will pay dividends for years to come. This year we added a 3D printer and the benefits continue.